Trail Thursday: Mosquito Lake

On Sunday Stella and I ventured out to Mosquito Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness. It seemed like the perfect Sunday morning day-hike. It's around a 2.25 mile hike (one-way) to the lake, but parking for the trailhead shares the same as several other popular trails (including Devil's Causeway and Flat Top Mountain), so it can seem busier at the start than it actually will be. I had anticipated the lake to be somewhat busy (we got to the trailhead around 9:30), but I was surprised with how quiet it was! 

The hike shares the same trail as #1119 (Devil's Causeway) for the first 0.8 miles along the coast of Stillwater Reservoir, so that is where we met the majority of the traffic (only 2 other sets of hikers). Once we split off to trail #1120 Bear River (that leads to Mosquito Lake), it was quaint and quite. The hike is an extremely gentle climb, but there are 3 water crossings that you will need to do. There are either rocks or logs to help guide you across (or get your feet wet, which is what I normally do), but otherwise it's perfect for anyone. I think this would also be a really great hike for those family members that you have visiting from out of town because it is relatively short and scenic. 

We got to the lake in a little under an hour (and that included stopping at all three of the water crossings for Stella to get a drink) and really taking our time. I think this would also be a great trail to run on as well! We were the ONLY ONES at the lake and I really wished that we could have stayed there all day. Mosquito Lake is on the smaller-side, but nonetheless stunning with the surrounding mountain peaks.

There is also plenty of spots along the trail and within a 1/4 mile of the lake to pitch a tent to backpack if you want to spend the night there. Once Stella and I had a snack (Honey Stinger Chews and a Luna Bar), we reluctantly headed back to the car. Since it is a gentle hike, it took us the same amount of time to hike out as it did to hike in. 

Suns out, Tongues out

I really loved this hike and thought that it was the perfect *gentle* Sunday morning hike that I was looking for. I HIGHLY recommend it! Plus, the wildflowers were in full bloom while we were out there which made it even better :) There has yet to be a hike in the Flat Tops that I haven't loved. 

Ever visited the Flat Tops Wilderness?

Favorite distance for a day hike? --> I like to keep it somewhere between 4-6 miles total. 

Weekend Recap

No crazy adventures were had this weekend (thanks snow...), since we had a giant stack of wood to pile, loads of never-ending laundry,  no food in the household, and bathrooms getting dirtier by the second (glamorous I know..); but we did manage to get out and enjoy the outdoors for a small amount! 

On Saturday, we took Stella out for a walk on one of the trails in town and enjoyed (probably) one of the last days of the beautiful Fall Foliage...

I also took Stella with me for a run around the lake that afternoon after helping stack some wood (not recommended)- I was SO exhausted after those 7 miles.

We made the Run Fast Eat Slow High Altitude Bison Meatballs and paired it with some spaghetti and sauce. Soooo tasty!

On Sunday, more chores, cooking, and stacking wood (boo...), but we also managed to get out and play with the kayaks for a bit! This was the first time that both kayaks were fixed so we could go together (one had a crack in it that we got fixed). 

There was a crazy amount of wind on the lake, so we stayed out for maybe an hour (luckily our kayaks were made for ocean-weather so neither one of us capsized!). 

Any plans for the upcoming weekend? #workingfortheweekend

We have our 3rd year anniversary weekend coming up and are still deciding where to go for dinner! Alex wants more of a fancy dinner and I'm really just wanting some good Mexican or Italian eats...What's your preference?! Settle this for us!

Kayaking...yay or nay?

Running & Traveling- mixing them together?

I've shared before a few tips that I have to fit in running while on a road trip, but I wanted to share with you a few tips that I learned how to fit in traveling when you're NOT training for anything in particular (also remember that it's always best to run where you either know your environment or run with a friend/ indoors)​.

1. Do some research on the most popular running routes and either know how far you want to run for or just "wing it" if you can!​

2. Pack for all weather conditions. You never know when it could turn to bad weather or get really cold! ​

3. Look up a running group where you're going. I've never done this, but have always wanted to! Report back if you do (or have done this)!​

4. Find a gym that has treadmills if the place you're staying doesn't have one. I did this when I was in Las Vegas for a conference and had a membership to Anytime Fitness , so I was able to go to another Anytime to get my run in safely!

5. Leave all expectations at the beginning of your run. You may be jet lagged/ exhausted/ eating different foods- just have fun and enjoy the experience!​

6. Find a great trail or nature path to explore while you're running​

7. Check to see if there are any local races going on and sign up for one! Bonus​ points if it's a half marathon! ;)

Any other tips you have to fellow runners when they travel?​

Anyone else wish there was an AirBnB type of platform where you can look up and meet new running friends when you're traveling?!?​

Mountain Monday- Flat Top Mountain & Hooper Lake

Happy Monday! Yesterday it was just Stella and I (Alex was working at an outdoor show in Telluride since Thursday) and we had a craving to drive up to the mountains to go for a hike and check out all the Fall colors, so we headed up to the Flat Tops Wilderness (about 30 minutes away). It's gotten SUPER chilly over the past few days and dips into the low 30's at night. We also got our first snowfall in the higher elevations (above 10,000') on Friday and Saturday! This hike did bring us up above 10,000' and we did get to see some snow! Stella was really excited and loves snow. I don't think she'd do too well if we moved to the beach....oh well. I guess we'll save that for another life!

This hike brings you to either up to the top of Flat Top Mountain or to Hooper/ Kenner Lakes and over the saddle of Flat Top Mountain. Our goal was to get to the lakes, but we only made it to the first one (Hooper) before deciding that it was getting a bit late and the clouds were not looking too happy (so we turned around after that). You gain over 1,500' of elevation over the 2.5 miles to the lake and it was definitely tough! We met a few hikers along the way, including two gentlemen who said they lost their dog up there last weekend and said that he is wearing a collar if we find him. It always makes me really sad when I hear of someone loosing an animal (especially in the wilderness) because I could never imagine how terrible that must be! We never saw his dog, but I kept thinking of him the entire hike (and also kept Stella on a leash because well... just in case).

We came across a few ponds on our hike (which Stella loves to wade in) and finally made it up to the saddle and the views were incredible. It really is so beautiful out there and we came across many snow spots! There was even a snow ridgeline on the top of one of the mountains that I think is still from last winter (it must never melt). We also came across two backpackers who said that they got caught in a pretty bad snowstorm Friday evening and even had some snow showers this morning! 

After we took in the views (around 2 miles in), we headed down the ridgeline (on the other side) in search of the lakes. Unfortunately, there was a sign missing so the trails to get to the two lakes wasn't well marked (another reason why we decided to turn back after finding the first lake). I think that it's much more common to come across trails that are more remote here in the rockies as opposed to hiking trails back in the White Mountains of NH (they're very well marked/traveled). 

We left the lake and stopped at the top of the ridgeline to eat lunch and rest for a bit (around 4 miles in). It began to SNOW, so that was our cue to head down from the higher elevation. When we started to hike back down from the saddle, the trail began to get covered with snow and we couldn't see the footprints well enough to follow the trail and ended up bushwacking a small section! It was really scary and I honestly could see how some hikers can get lost when snowstorms come along on remote trails. Luckily, we saw the trail down below and just took a diagonal path (and honestly maybe a shortcut) to get back on it! Phew! That was pretty intense and shortly thereafter the snow stopped and we hiked back down to the car. 

This hike was SO beautiful and it was just under 6 miles for us roundtrip (but we only went to the first lake and definitely took a shortcut on our way back down). I highly recommend doing this and bring some friends (and a map)! You generally have pretty poor service for most of the hike (until you get to the saddle), so keep that in mind and have a plan b if you do get lost or stuck in a snowstorm. Hopefully the weather will get warmer because I'm not ready to go straight from summer to winter just yet!

Did you do any adventures this weekend?

Any fun runs or races that you did?!

Last hiking trip- good or bad experience? Have you ever gotten lost?

How I filled my Weekend with No Running

No running this weekend meant extra time to catch up on my sleep, relax, and enjoy the outdoors! Saturday was spent by pampering myself with a mani/pedi, farmers market, and checking out the Mustang Round-Up to get my dad a gift for Father's Day.

After getting my nails done and running a few errands, I headed to the gym to do a quick strength session and 30 minutes on the elliptical. 

The gym that I go to also has a hot springs/pool area outside (Old Town Hot Springs if you're ever in Steamboat area) and it's so nice/distracting to be in the elliptical room. Unfortunately the treadmills are facing mirrors, but they do have tv so that's a bonus! After the gym, I headed home and we watched The Jungle Book. It was SO good if you haven't watched it before (the newer release, not the cartoon). 

Sunday was spent getting 10 HOURS of sleep then eggs and heading out for a hike out the Sarvis Creek Wilderness.

We hiked out 2.5 miles to Sarvis Creek, where there's a few different spots with small beaches/ rocks to relax on. We were the only ones here and it was so gorgeous out! We ended up meeting 20+ people on our hike back down, so we timed it just right. Stella found a GIANT stick and loved launching herself into the water to retrieve it (water was just a tad too cool to swim in).

She's really very skinny when she doesn't have all that fur! 

After the hike, we headed home to make lunch (pb 'n banana with popcorn for me) and finish up packing before we leave Wednesday afternoon! We are driving to Maine and are hoping to arrive there very late Friday night. So excited to have some r 'n r and see our fam!

How was your weekend?

Running or no running?

Anyone taking any fun vacations anywhere?!